WIREDGOV

The Competition Commission (CC) has published its corporate plan for 2010/11, which sets out its objectives over the next 12 months and beyond.

The plan is available at www.competition-commission.org.uk and sets out a number of objectives, with specific work streams exploring ways of making investigations more efficient and effective, as well as ensuring that the CC is taking the right decisions and the right remedial actions when required.

The CC is aiming to maintain the quality of its work and decisions within a budget which has reduced by 10 per cent since 2009/10. Work is underway to deliver savings in a number of areas and the plan outlines continuing and new initiatives to meet the objectives as well as the incorporation of further changes such as those stemming from the CC’s recent remedies review.

Chief Executive of the CC, David Saunders said:

"Like many organisations, we face a challenging time as we attempt to maintain and indeed improve the quality of our work with a reduced budget. However as the plan details, thanks to the continuation of work started in previous years and the addition of new initiatives, I believe we are in good shape to meet these and future challenges."

1. The CC is an independent public body which carries out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries.

2. The Enterprise Act 2002 requires the OFT to refer to the CC for investigation and report, completed or proposed mergers where there may be a substantial lessening of competition.

3. The Act also empowers the OFT to refer to the CC for investigation and report, markets where there may be an adverse effect on competition.

4. The CC has assessment and appeal functions under a wide range of sectoral regulatory regimes.